Dwight-Englewood School Music Lesson Program 2010 - 2011 Dear Dwight-Englewood Parents and Students… We are pleased to offer the opportunity for students to be able to study with our professional faculty in a familiar and convenient environment. Please read the information in this booklet carefully. There are details about policy, scheduling and payment as well as biographical material about the faculty. We hope it will answer most questions you may have about the program. A contract form is enclosed with this mailing. John Herrick Littlefield Chairman, Department of Performing Arts WELCOME to the Dwight-Englewood School Music Lessons Program. We are pleased to offer our students a variety of lessons with highly qualified professionals, on an annual contractual basis. Because we are situated in one of the cultural capitals of the world, we have access to exceptional teachers who provide the best possible learning experiences. There are three different parts to our program, each designed to meet specific students’ needs: Available to Lower School students only, there is the Lower School String Program which offers 24 half hour private lessons on either violin or viola during the school day in addition to a Lower School String Ensemble which meets after school hours. Available to Middle School Students, there are two after school 10 week ensemble classes, one in West African Drumming, Singing and Dancing (also open to Upper School students, faculty and parents) and one which is a Middle School (only) Jazz Workshop. Available to Dwight-Englewood students in all grades is the Private Music Lessons Program which offers 45 minute private lessons on each of the orchestral instruments, piano, voice, set drums (and percussion), saxophone, harp, classical and electric guitar as well as electric and upright bass. The curriculum for this program includes 27 private lessons, one master-class. (Hour long lessons may be possible by special arrangement.) These programs will be described in greater detail on the pages that follow. Above and beyond learning to play and appreciate music, the study of music offers many benefits to your child including cultural awareness, self esteem and an opportunity to experience the direct and beneficial results of self discipline. The skills associated with music are long term 1 goals which take time to master. Though progress will be seen from week to week, it is only over time that the overall musical development can begin to unfold. The most successful students tend to be those whose parents are able to be involved in the learning process, encouraging consistent practice at home, being aware of what their child is working on musically and keeping in touch with the teacher from time to time. As this is a long term process, the program has been set up as a full year curriculum. Students will benefit most from a full year of study to be able to implement what that individual teacher has to offer. Once teachers reserve lesson times for students they have to turn away others, so please note that the contract for this program is a full year commitment. Refunds will not be given for withdrawal from the program or for missed lessons unless special arrangements have been made and agreed to in advance due to extraordinary circumstances. Please read this brochure carefully to be sure you understand all of the policies prior to enrolling in the program. Teachers’ biographies can be found on the later pages of this booklet. 2 Lower School String Program Annaliesa Place, Director of Strings (201) 569-9500 x 3127 LESSONS WITH ENSEMBLE Students in the Lower School may take half hour private lessons on violin or viola during the school day and also participate in a string ensemble that meets weekly for one period immediately after school. Each student receives 24 private lessons and 24 ensemble sessions during the school year. This is a Suzuki based program with an added component of reading notes and rhythms. Private lessons are taught during the day. Students leave their classrooms to take the private lessons. The lesson times are rotated from week to week for each student so that the time missed in any one class will be kept to a minimum. For example, a student having a lesson from 8:30 - 9:00 the first week will have a lesson from 9:00 - 9:30 the second week, 9:30 - 10:00 the third week, etc. There are usually two ensembles that meet simultaneously from 3:00 - 3:45 on Wednesday afternoons. Placement in the ensemble best suited to the student’s playing level will be determined by the faculty in September. The Ensembles are part of the curriculum for the Lower School String Program. The fee for 24 half hour lessons and the ensemble is $1,126. Fees are for the year and are payable at registration. To enroll in the Lower School String Program submit a completed and signed contract to James Lloyd with payment for the program desired by September 8, 2010. 3 Lower School String Program Faculty Biography KIMBERLY SYVERTSEN, viOlinist & COndUCTOR, has been teaching in the Lower School String Program since the fall of 2008. She came to the Dwight-Englewood School with considerable experience teaching violin, directing ensembles and building programs. Ms. Syvertsen is on the faculties of Montclair State University as well as at the JCC Thurnauer School of Music. She is the conductor of Overture Strings Youth Orchestras of Essex County and the University Youth Orchestra at Montclair State University. She is the Student Chapter Coordinator of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) – NJ Board as well as having been President of the Montclair Chapter of ASTA. Ms. Syvertsen holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University. 4 Private Music Lessons Program James Lloyd II, Coordinator (201) 569-9500 x4004 The Private Music Lessons Program offers 45 minute private lessons on all of the orchestral instruments as well as harp, piano, voice, saxophone, classical and electric guitar as well as upright, electric bass and music theory. The course of study includes 27 private lessons, one master-class and, for those who are adequately prepared, one formal concert during each school year. Lessons are offered to match the needs and skill level of each student from beginner through advanced. Middle and Upper School students are encouraged to inquire about performance opportunities in the various instrumental and choral ensembles offered through the Performing Arts Department academic curriculum. The feefor the 27 lessons and 1 master-class is $1,498 which is due with the contract at the time of enrollment. Financing arrangements can be made by speaking with James Lloyd prior to submitting the application. If the lessons end up being scheduled at the student’s home, there will be a surcharge of $15.00 per lesson to be paid directly to the teacher to cover travel time and expenses. If the scheduling of lessons, after the contract has been processed but before the first lesson has been given, proves to be impossible, the fee will be refunded in full to the parent. Once the lessons have been scheduled and the student takes the first lesson the contract is in effect for the full school year and the no refund policy takes effect. (Schedules permitting, hour long lessons may be able to be arranged at the parent’s request. The annual fee for hour long lessons would be $1,998. Please contact the Music Lesson Co- ordinator to inquire about the feasibility of this if you are interested.) GETTING STARTED - Once a signed contract has been received with payment, the coordinator will instruct the teacher to contact the parent to arrange a mutually agreeable lesson time for the student. Times immediately following dismissal are obviously very limited and also very desirable. Please have alternative options to discuss when you speak with the teacher. Most private lessons are taught at the school but they may be taught at the student’s home (for an additional fee) or at the teacher’s private studio when necessary 5 to facilitate scheduling. To assure the best chance of being scheduled into this program please submit contracts by September 8, 2010. UPPER SCHOOL STUDENTS may take lessons during free periods within the school day if they can be coordinated with the teacher’s schedule and an available studio. Lessons are generally scheduled after the school day if there is no compatible free period during the school day. Upper School Students should be especially careful not to schedule lessons at times that will conflict with any seasonal sports activities that they may wish to participate in. MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS usually take lessons after school hours as they have very few free periods during the class day. They are permitted to take their music lesson during the school day on the rare occasion that they are able to schedule a time during a study hall or free period. Middle School Students should be especially careful not to schedule lessons at times that will conflict with any seasonal sports activities that they may wish to participate in. Lower School students take private lessons after the school day. Lower School students must be escorted to and from their lessons by a parent or by the private lesson teacher. Please note that escort time on the part of teachers is part of the contracted lesson time and thusly shortens the amount of time in the studio for the student. Parents should arrange to pick up their children at the conclusion of the lesson. This is a good time for the parent to compare notes with the teachers regarding what has been assigned for the week and to be updated on the progress of the student.